IATO election post lockdown

Under the prevailing conditions of the nationwide lockdown, IATO has decided it best to postpone its annual election and may conduct it online. Another meeting is scheduled for June-end, where an informed decision will be taken.

Manas Dwivedi

For the second time this year, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has decided to defer its biennial election till such time that the lockdown restrictions are lifted. The Returning Officer for IATO Election 2020, Akshay Kumar, in a meeting with IATO Executive Committee (EC), and all contestants decided on May 6, 2020 that even post lifting of restrictions, the association will need to accommodate the process of companies having to rebuild their business and begin operations. Another meeting is scheduled for June-end, where an informed decision will be taken. IATO will also explore the viability of conducting elections online if the need arises. In the interim, the office bearers, EC and Chapter Chairmen of IATO are hereby allowed to work as usual, with no restrictions. Everyone across the board was unanimous in asking for postponement of IATO elections.

Earlier, the date of withdrawal of nominations was postponed. Later, the elections were postponed by 30 days starting April 6 and the EC decided to meet after 30 days to take stock of the situation. According to the IATO memorandum of associations, the election should, however, take place within 90 days from the announcement of withdrawal of names by the candidates. In case the election cannot be held within 90 days, the Returning Officer recommended that IATO could call for an EGM and allow the house to decide upon the new dates for election.

Meanwhile, the IATO EC has also decided to defer the last date for renewal of membership till July 1, 2020 looking at the present national lockdown. Members of the association can raise invoice of the renewal till July 1. All membership renewed for 2019-2020 will continue to be valid till the time new invoices for annual subscription for financial year 2020-21 are raised. However, interested members can make advance payment to IATO for their membership.

The association has also written a letter to PM Narendra Modi for formulating survival and revival plans for the crisis-ridden tourism industry in the country. Fearing a huge impact of COVID-19 on the industry, the association has demanded a sectoral bailout package. In its recommendations, IATO listed out several immediate relief measures required for survival on both short-term and long-term basis.